Chapter 1779: Nine Years

Nine years later.

Ruoshui Bastion.

Knock knock knock——

A dull and rhythmic knocking sound rang out. As the shop door was pulled open, a youth wearing a flashy black leather jacket walked into the narrow grocery store. Every step that landed let out a creak on the old wooden floor.

The youth had both hands in his pockets, looking around somewhat curiously, and then slowly stopped his footsteps in front of the counter.

The old tungsten filament light bulb emitted a faint light in the dimness, reflecting an aged figure behind the counter. That old man looked up at the youth, opening his mouth expressionlessly:

"If you want to buy something, go get it yourself."

After hesitating for a moment, the youth opened his mouth tentatively:

"I want to buy a glimmer of hope."

"Human civilization..."

"Will never be extinguished!" the youth added the second half of the sentence without hesitation.

At the same time, he took out a Playing Card from his clothes, slowly placing it on the surface of the counter... Under the dim yellow light, a [Nine of Hearts] entered the old man's sight.

The old man's expression finally relaxed. He spoke leisurely,

"So, you are the last [9] series card... I am the general intelligence contact for the Ruoshui Bastion, you can just call me Old Fan. First time meeting, rookie."

"I'm no rookie." Li Shangfeng chuckled lightly. "I just got my Card Face recently and formally entered the Dusk Society... If we really talk about seniority, I'm older than those J's and Q's."

"Hmph, quite a big tone you have, rookie."

"What, you still don't believe me? When I knew the Red King, there was no such thing as J's and Q's yet!" Li Shangfeng raised his chin, opening his mouth proudly.

Old Fan rolled his eyes. "Red King, My Lord hasn't shown his face for almost ten years... The Dusk Society recruiting members has always been Grey King, My Lord's responsibility. You, a 9-series, actually know the Red King?"

"If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do." Li Shangfeng shrugged.

Old Fan didn't plan on bickering with him. He never liked people who ran their mouths like a train. He sized up Li Shangfeng from top to bottom for a long time, opening his mouth again:

"This is your first time executing a Dusk Society mission, right?"

"...Yes."

"Do you know what this mission is?"

"I don't know, the guidance Grey King, My Lord gave me was just to come to the Ruoshui Domain to connect with you... The rest is unclear."

"Encountering such a big mission right after joining the Dusk Society... I don't know whether to say you're lucky or unlucky." Old Fan sighed.

When Li Shangfeng heard the words "big mission", his eyes instantly lit up:

"Stop keeping me in suspense, hurry and tell me!"

Li Shangfeng looked forward to challenges very much.

He and Li Wanhua lay dormant in the maintenance factory for nine years. Nine years was a very long time, long enough that the maintenance factory had already opened several chain stores, and Li Shangfeng had become a small boss; long enough that Li Wanhua had grown into a graceful young woman and got engaged to her beloved man.

Li Wanhua no longer lived at the maintenance factory, but she still frequently came back to look for Li Shangfeng. However, for most of the time, Li Shangfeng was all alone... Over these years, every day besides operating the maintenance factory, he just used his abilities to tinker with some new inventions, and then stuffed them into his own body.

Li Wanhua also asked Li Shangfeng, he wasn't young anymore either, did he want to find a beloved girl to start a family, and live a stable life in the Chengtian Domain. But Li Shangfeng knew very well, this was not the life he wanted.

He was an alternative genius of the Path of the Artisan. He had seen the peak scenery of this world nine years ago. What flowed in his body was no longer blood, but motor oil used to nourish various weapons... For someone like him, how could he be willing to be an Ordinary Person, get married, and have children?

From the sixth year, he had been expecting Chen Ling to return, tell him the truth about everything, and then take him to start a new life.

Li Shangfeng had long thought it through. Whether it was climbing a mountain of swords or plunging into a sea of fire, he was willing to accept it. He thirsted for battle, thirsted for excitement, thirsted for a world full of unknowns and risks. It was like something carved into his bones. As his age grew, these desires became increasingly vigorous.

He waited anxiously day and night, waiting for a full three years...

Until late one night, Li Shangfeng pushed open the main door of the maintenance factory as usual. At that moment, fluttering blank Playing Cards surged out like a blizzard, obscuring his vision... In his trance, a woman draped in a black dress was sketched out from within.

She claimed to be the Grey King of the Dusk Society, following Red King Chen Ling's orders to come and resolve Li Shangfeng's confusions as promised.

That night, Li Shangfeng learned everything.

He had been confused, and had found it hard to believe... But ultimately, he still chose to join the Dusk Society without hesitation.

The Grey King said he already didn't owe the Dusk Society anything, and didn't need to come take risks again. And Li Shangfeng's reply to this was also quite simple:

"What's owing and not owing... What does the me of the previous world have to do with the me of now?"

"I just like this kind of exciting life!"

That night,

The sky full of [Nine of Hearts] Playing Cards scattered on the ground of the maintenance factory...

The good resident of the Chengtian Domain, Li Shangfeng, vanished into thin air.

Li Shangfeng joined the Dusk Society precisely to experience a novel life. Now that there was a super large mission placed before his eyes right after entering, there wasn't a single shred of fear in his heart, only eager expectation.

"Don't rush." Old Fan glanced at the time. "Another rookie is coming soon... You guys listen together."

"Another rookie? Shouldn't I be the newest?"

Li Shangfeng spoke in surprise.

"Another rookie was added last night. If nothing unexpected happens, he should already be on his way here."

"Just joined last night, and coming to participate in a major mission today?" Li Shangfeng's expression was somewhat bizarre. "What is his Card Face? Is it also a 9?"

"The 9-series cards have already all been distributed. He, should be an 8."

Before Old Fan's voice fell, a rhythmic knocking sound rang out again.

The two looked towards the shop door at the same time, only seeing the main door being slowly pushed open. A green and inexperienced youth carrying a Drawing Board walked in from outside the door... He was young in age, yet revealed a maturity surpassing his years.

The instant he saw this youth, Li Shangfeng froze... He thought this "rookie" would be very "new", but didn't expect him to be this new... Just looking at his age, he should be about the same age as Li Wanhua nine years ago, right?

At this age, he can already join the Dusk Society??

No...

Perhaps it's just a child living nearby coming to buy some snacks, that's also possible.

The youth's gaze paused on Li Shangfeng for a moment, and then looked at Old Fan behind the counter. After hesitating for a moment, he walked straight to the front of the counter.

"What do you want to buy?" Old Fan also asked tentatively with a trace of curiosity.

"I want to buy a glimmer of hope."

The youth gently placed a Playing Card on the table surface. An [Eight of Clubs] entered both of their sights simultaneously... After a moment's pause, he spoke firmly:

"Human civilization... will never be extinguished."

...

...

The pace is picking up, and there are still some omissions in the plotline nine years later, causing slow updates... Just updating one chapter today, one nine is also a nine ~ (dog head)